Challenge yourself: apply for chef-in-residence program or enter your baking and canning at SC State Fair competition

How competitive are you? The State Fair is officially accepting entries for baking, canning and other Home & Craft Department competition exhibitions. Pre-registration is open now through Sept. 1. For more information or to complete a registration form, go to www.scstatefair.org.

Robert Rauschenberg Foundation accepting applications for Chef-in-Residence Program on Captiva Island, Florida. All chefs — no matter their location or level of experience — are encouraged to apply. Robert Rauschenberg was an American painter and graphic artist whose early works anticipated the pop art movement and a contemporary of Jasper Johns. The chef-in-residence, in addition to providing healthful meals for other artists-in-residence, will participate in an active artist community while pursuing personal culinary interests and research. Deadline: Aug. 1. Information: www.rauschenbergfoundation.org/residency/chef-residence

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South Carolina Peach Festival: Through Saturday, July 23, in Gaffney. Among the main events throughout the festival run are a peach-eating contest, road race, carnival, barbecue cookoff, mud bog and much more. Details: www.scpeachfestival.net.

Senate’s End Summer Festival, noon-6 p.m. July 31 at 302 Artisans. Enjoy an evening by the river with local artisans and crafters, musicians and great food. 302 Senate St.www.facebook.com/302Artisans

UGK: It Takes A Village pop-up dinner, 7 p.m. Aug. 1. Tickets $125/person for a multi-course family-style dinner with a mystery guest chef at a soon-to-be-disclosed location. Sign up for tickets at theundergroundkitchen.org

Brew at the Zoo, Aug. 5, Riverbanks Zoo. Make plans now to join us for the coolest suds sippin’ safari in Columbia. Brew at the Zoo provides the perfect remedy to those muggy Midlands’ days—samples of cold, frothy beer. From domestics to imports to specialty micros, guests can choose their brew and meander through the Zoo or hang out in the plaza and listen to live music. No one under 21 will be admitted. Proceeds support ongoing conservation and education efforts at Riverbanks. Visit www.riverbanks.org for more information.

Barkin Boots & BBQ, 6 p.m. Aug. 6, a fundraising event for PetsInc. Tickets $25/person include full BBQ plate with two sides and dessert by All Smoked Up, unlimited iced tea, water and lemonade and chance to win door prizes. Sponsorship tables available $250-$2,500. Show your stuff in the single/couples one-minute dance contest. Tickets and information at www.petsinc.org/BBQ. 300 Orchard Dr., West Columbia, (803) 739-9333.

Tour & Tasting: Lowcountry Style at Columbia Museum of Art, 6 p.m. Aug. 7. Part of the closing events for “Daufuskie Memories” exhibit, sample some of the best brews the South has to offer and enjoy a Lowcountry boil by Fancy That Bistro, then take a guided tour of the exhibit before it closes. $40/person, $32/CMA members. 1515 Main St., (803) 799-2810, columbiamuseum.org

S.C. Food Access Summit, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at The River Center at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd., focuses on efforts to improve access to healthy food for South Carolinians with limited financial resources. Keynote speaker is Anthony Flaccavento, President and founder of SCALE, Inc. Session topics include advocacy and policy, community economic development, transportation and food access, and funding healthy food projects. $20/person, tickets at eventbrite.com.

Children’s Trust of South Carolina Be A Star for Prevention Benefit Gala & Silent Auction, 7-11 p.m. Aug. 27 at USC Alumni Center, 900 Senate St. Tickets $125/person includes open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres, complimentary valet. Black tie optional, music by Swingin’ Richards. All proceeds to support Children’s Trust’s work to keep children safe in South Carolina. Information: scchildren.org.

Farmer | Chef | Brewer, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 11 at Homegrown Brewhouse, 117 South Main St., Summerville. Enjoy a five-course meal —each course prepared by a local chef paired with a beer from a local brewery, both using the same ingredient from a local farm. Tickets $60/person, available at eventbrite.

Tickets for the second annual Gervais Street Bridge Dinner are now on sale. The event — a seated multi-course dinner for 1,000 with cocktails, beer and wine in the center of the bridge spanning the Congaree River — is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Sunday, October 23. Tickets $150/person with reserved tables starting at $2,500 (for eight people). Proceeds will benefit Congaree Riverkeeper, Canoeing for Kids and Harvest Hope. Info: gervaisstreetbridgedinner.com.

Have Lunch at Old McCaskill’s Farm begins at noon every Friday. Served buffet style, first come, first served, $10 per person. Check out the farm store while you’re there for farm-raised meats, cheeses and more. 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert, (803) 432-9537, www.oldmccaskillfarm.com.

Wine Wednesdays at Craft And Draft will feature select wines at $5 per glass and three to four wines that will be available for sampling and buying. Craft and Draft is at 2706 Devine St. (803) 764-2575, www.craftanddraftbeer.com.

Take a trip, see a farm: The South Carolina Agritourism Association has created a Passport Program for farms in order to educate folks on what the agriculture industry means to the state. Participants can get a passport from any of the 44 farms on the tour and the more stamps collected in the passport, the more chances to win prizes, with one winner taking home $100 in Certified SC products. https://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/agency-services/agritourism/

Learn to become a farmer Incubator Farm plots available at Sandhill Research and Education Center on Clemson Road in Columbia. Participants in the Agriculture Incubator Program will have access to up to a 1/2 acre of irrigated land, a packing shed, equipment use, access to technical assistance, access to markets and training opportunities. Fee of $350 per year for up to three years, plus required safety and operation training. Contact Harry Crissy, hcrissy@clemson.edu (use “Columbia Incubator” in subject line) or call (843) 730-5211.

Get the App: South Carolina Farmers and Roadside Market App shows more than 200 farmers markets and roadside produce stands. Click on location to see address, hours of operation, and methods of payment. New recipes each month will feature in-season produce. www.scdhec.gov/farmersmarkets.

Pressure Canning Testing by Clemson Extension done by appointment at Sandhills Research and Education Center on Clemson Road. Have your pressure canner dial gauges checked for accuracy before use by an extension agent. $6, cash or check. Call 803-865-1216 ext. 114 for more information.

Tours

Two Gals and a Fork Food Tours and Historic Columbia present historic food tours of the Vista. Tours are 2 1/2 hours and guest will visit five restaurants, sample some specialties and learn the history of Columbia. Tickets $30-38, depending on the number in your party, custom tours for 10 or more guests. More information available at www.twogalsfoodtours.com or call (803) 360-0578.

Columbia Food Tours takes you on walking tours of downtown Columbia and Five Points to experience the culture and cuisine of the capital city. Sign up for a tour, and visit six to eight of Columbia restaurants and sample items. Tours last 21/2 hours, rain or shine. Details and ticket reservations, $42 per person, at www.columbiafoodtours.com

Columbia’s Cooking: Mommy & Me Cooking Class, 10-11:30 a.m. July 26 for parents with children of any age, but material covered in this class is geared to children ages 3-7. $25 covers one parent and one child. Classes held at 915 Greene St., register for classes at www.ColumbiasCooking.org/classes.

Learn to make sushi at SakiTumi: By appointment, couples and small groups can call and arrange classes in the art of making sushi. Pricing options include food and class, or choose to include wine or hot sake. Call (803) 931-0700 after 2 p.m. for scheduling or information. SakiTumi is at 807 Gervais St.

Market News

Farmers in the Forest: Forest Acres Farmers Market at Richland Mall in the parking lot along Beltline Boulevard. Wednesdays 3-7 p.m. through Nov. 23. Vendor applications can be found at farmersintheforest.org; follow on Facebook.